Seeing a cat give birth is a magnificent experience, but apart from thinking about the already existing overpopulation of cats, many of which will never have the opportunity to be happy, you also have to remember her health.
After pregnancy there may be some problems, so this time I'm going to talk to you about mastitis in cats.
What is it?
Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary glands which can occur for any of these reasons:
- Lack of hygiene
- Death of some kitten
- Abrupt weaning
- Puppy suction
Sometimes, it can be the case that there is infection, being the bacteria enterococci, streptococci, staphylococci and Escherichia coli the most affecting cats.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of mastitis in cats are the following:
- Kittens do not gain adequate weight (5% more birth weight per day)
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Formation of abscesses or gangrene
- Moderate swelling of the mammary glands, which appear hard and sometimes ulcerated
- Breast pain
- Anorexia
- More viscous milk
- Hemorrhagic or purulent breast discharge
How do you make the diagnostic?
Once our cat has one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, we must take her to the vet as soon as possible. There they will make you a cytology of breast discharge, a bacterial culture of milk and a blood test.
Which is the treatment?
If the diagnosis is confirmed, what you will do is give you antibiotics for 2-3 weeks. Only in cases of mastitis with gangrene should lactation of the puppies be interrupted, and the cat will have the necrotic tissue removed. In most cases the prognosis is good.
However, the best thing to do to avoid mastitis is castrating to the cat. This also prevents unwanted litters and heat.